Wineries of the Kootenays Region

Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery

Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery

1140 27th Avenue South
Creston, BC V0B 1G1

Bob Johnson and Petra Flaa from Calgary spent numerous vacations
in the valley before purchasing a Cherry farm. They soon discovered that wines
last longer and in 2006 purchased property next to Skimmerhorn Winery. Their
first vintage was 2009.

The winery name celebrates William Baillie-Grohman, a pioneer who arrived in the Creston Valley in 1882 to hunt mountain goats (there is one on the wine labels), and spent the next 30 years diverting rivers, reclaim land and bringing in settlers before retiring in his native Britain.

The vineyards main grape is Pinot Noir. They also produce Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon
Blanc, and Schönburger and Kerner for icewine.

Winemaker Dan Barker consultant, Wes Johnston.

Dan Barker and Wes Johnson’s winemaking goals are to create balanced wines that express a purity of fruit. The grapes are picked by hand, commencing their gentle journey from vineyard to bottle. In the winery, the grapes are hand sorted to ensure only the best grapes make it to the winemaking process.

Columbia Gardens Vineyard and Winery

9340 Station Road
Trail, BC V1R 4W6

1-250 367-7493

The first winery located in Kootenays opened in the fall of 2001. The winery founded the Bryden and Wallace families. Ben De Jager and his wife Tersia purchased the winery in 2013

The tasting room along with a gift shop are located in a log cabin. Author John Schreiner writes; the charm of the Columbia wine shop surprises first time visitors who do not expect a tasting room with sophisticated decor this far off the beaten path. Signature wine – Garden Gold blended white wine

Maréchal Foch is the
backbone for several wines here—the
premium Maréchal Foch Private Reserve and
Kootenay Red (a blend of several vintages
of Foch). Garden Gold, Station White and
Gewürztraminer are popular white wines.
The Station Road Rosé, made from Pinot
Noir, is refreshing. DeJager’s Merlot, a new
label, is made with Okanagan grapes

A small family owned and operated winery, located in the beautiful Kootenay
River Valley of south-central British Columbia. Paul Koodrin runs the blueberry
farm and winery. The rich, unique flavours of Heron Ridge wines are achieved through careful,
measured blending of two varieties of blueberry - the sweet Northland and
the small ultra-sweet Stanley

Winemaker: Paul Koodrin

SOAHC Estate Wines

P.O. Box 242, Fruitvale P.O.
Fruitvale, BC V0G 1L0

From Chaos comes balance Jamie Fochuk is the owner of Soacho Estates wines which is Chaos spelled backswords. Jamie believe he has found a very special location for his winery. Biodynamic agriculture is practiced here.* Jamie has spent years educating himself about biodynamic farming and has earned the respect and support of world-renowned viticulture and biodynamic experts.

SOAHC Estate Wines recognizes the potential of this land and has carefully crafted two of three natural benches running up the side of the mountain. Situated in a unique microclimate these benches are optimal for growing some of the world's best grapes. In addition, the benches sit on one of the third largest watersheds in North America requiring little irrigation due to the natural moisture that exists within the soil.

Jamie when living in Ontario took a viticulture course at the University of
Guelph revealed an aptitude for growing grape. He was able to obtain a job at Reif Winery. He moved to BC working at Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards, Stag’s
Hollow Winery and Black Hills Estate Winery

Philippe Armenier is considered to be one of the foremost practitioners of biodynamic farming in the world. He is helping estblish the wiery has a leader in the field.

Winemaker: Alain Sutre consultant, Jamie Fockuk

Skimmerhorn

1218 - 27th Ave S
Creston, BC V0B 1G1

1-250-428-4911

After 20 years of successfully running a family orchard,
Al and Marleen Hoag took the plunge and opened a winery. The winery
is named after the Skimmerhorn Mountains, part of the Purcell Mountain Range,
which borders the eastern edge of the Creston Valley.* In 2017 winery sold to new owners Ryan Burgis and Janek Guminski

Their 14 acres produces a varietal range which includes Pinot Gris, Ortega, Gewürztraminer,
Pinot Noir and Marechal Foch. For a relaxing, intimate lunch or small group
gathering the Bistro at the Vineyards provides an
idyllic setting; it is open from mid May until mid October, reservations are
recommended.

Since the New Zealand South Island and Creston have similar climates the Hoags visited in 2006 and while there
found and hired winemaker Mark Rattray to help get them get started in
their new adventure.

Winemaker: Mark RattrayPhilosophy: Our wines reflect our terroir

William Tell Family Estate

PO Box 204
Creston, BC
V0B1G0

JRD Farms is located in Creston, British Columbia: a small rural farming community in the south-east corner of the province. The property was selected for its ability to grow grapes for wine as well as grow fruits.

The vineyard is planted with three different clones of Pinot Noir; 115, 667, and 777. The vines are own rooted unlike most vineyards in British Columbia which are planted with grafted vines. JRD Farms believes that using own rooted vines is a truer expression of the fruit compared to using grafted vines. Also using own rooted vines is a benefit in cool climates

CiderMaster William TellPhilosophy:

Wynnwood Cellars

5566 Highway 3A
Wynndel, BC V0B 2N2

Michael Wigen became interested in wines back in the 50's It was not until 2007 he planted 4 of his 10 hectares with vines with 70% of the vines been his favourite Pinot Noir. The idea of a winery came about when Dave Basaraba asked about growing vines on Wigen's property. Dave had grown some vines of his own and was happy with the results however he felt Michael had the best location and soil
(by the lake, Limestone) to produced grapes for making wine.

By 2008 they were happy enough with the grapes to start the winery. The big step came in 2010 They hired Tom DiBello at a custom crush facility
in the Okanagan to make their wines. A winery is been build.

Winemaker: Dave Basaraba,Philosophy:

Biodynamic agriculture is a holistic approach that combines intense natural practices commonly found in organic farming along with the addition of unique preparations intended to stimulate plant and biological life. This, in turn, brings the farm into balance with the natural rhythms of the constellations. Biodynamic agriculture is a way of living, working and relating to nature and the vocations of agriculture based on good common-sense practices including a consciousness of the uniqueness of each landscape around us. See Organic